Cheteshwar Pujara completes 20,000 first-class runs; becomes 4th Indian to reach landmark

Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has reached a significant milestone in red-ball cricket during the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Cheteshwar Pujara crossed the 20,000-run mark in First-Class cricket, becoming the fourth Indian cricketer to accomplish this feat.

Cheteshwar Pujara achieved the milestone in the 2024 Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha in Nagpur. The 35-year-old needed 96 runs to reach the landmark before the match. He successfully scored a total of 109 runs in both innings during the ongoing match.

Cheteshwar Pujara Completes 20,000 Runs In First Cricket Cricket

Pujara displayed a solid batting performance in Saurashtra’s first innings, contributing 43 runs off 105 balls, which included four boundaries and a six. The experienced cricketer made a significant contribution to the team, helping them reach a total of 206 in Nagpur.

In his second innings, Pujara scored 66 runs off 137 balls, including 10 boundaries. He formed an 87-run partnership with Vishvaraj Jadeja, who contributed 79 runs. Despite his efforts, Saurashtra was bowled out for 244 runs, setting a target of 373 for Vidarbha.

Cheteshwar Pujara has scored 20,013 runs in 260 First-Class matches, boasting a remarkable average of over 51. He has registered 61 centuries and 78 half-centuries in his illustrious career, securing the fourth-highest run tally in red-ball cricket among Indian players.

Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid have scored more runs than Pujara in red-ball cricket. Additionally, Pujara holds the record for the most double centuries in First-Class cricket among Indian players, achieving his 17th double-hundred in the first game.

Cheteshwar Pujara has accumulated 7,195 runs in 103 Test matches at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 fifties. Pujara was India’s second-highest run scorer in the 2021-23 WTC cycle, amassing 928 runs at an average of 32.

Left Cheteshwar Pujara Out For No Reason – Harbhajan Singh

“Didn’t select Ajinkya Rahane and have left Cheteshwar Pujara out for no reason. These are the two players who have scored runs everywhere. If you look at the previous record Pujara has the same contribution as Kohli had,” Harbhajan said.

“I don’t understand why Pujara has been left out, we still don’t have a better batter than Pujara in Test cricket. He plays slowly but he saves you, because of him India won Test in Australia and England,” he added.

India parted ways with Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara after the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Pujara and Rahane were absent from the squad during the recent Test series in South Africa, while Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill retained their places.

Cheteshwar Pujara is keen to make a comeback in the Indian squad for the longer format of the game. The batter has delivered impressive performances in the ongoing 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season. While Ajinkya Rahane is struggling with the form in the tournament.

Also read: IND vs ENG: Ajinkya Rahane More Relevant Than Cheteshwar Pujara Because Of MS Dhoni – Aakash Chopra